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I completely forgot I had this when I was digging through – all blurry-eyed – for a good black tea this morning. This was sent to me by Jaime in a tea swap a couple of months back. I hadn’t even touched it. Not for lack of want, just lots of reviews to get outta the way. Anyway, I’m glad I did. On first (aromatic) impression, it seemed like a gentler smoked tea than others I’ve tried. It was smoky and toasty but not forest-fiery in its delivery. Flavor-wise, I had a similar impression. This tasted rather crisp, actually. It was a blunt black, but not in the “burn-your-eyebrows-off” sorta way. In short, I liked it. Quite surprised by its character.

I finally got me some more! They got another limited stock in of the lovely alcy-scented Ceylon that captured my heart and tongue. Initial dry smell of this new batch was more “damp”-like than the first. Stronger on the bitey note. I finally cupped it this morning before heading out the door. It was still as floral, feathery and woody on the initial sip like the first time I tried it. The finish, though, was much stronger. Not sure what was done differently, but it had more of the whiskey toastiness the second time ’round. Still awesome.

Full Write-Up Here: http://www.lazyliteratus.com/1118

Second taster note on this; changed-up my approach.

Except for days when I require something stronger and maltier, I turn to matcha as my morning pick-up. That every-other-day-task has fallen on Joy’s Izu Matcha. It does what its supposed to and still tastes good. I’m apt to add that it actually fizzes up nicely when paired with 170F water as opposed to the usual 165F. When I’m in a hurry, that’s what I default to. That adds a bit of texture to an otherwise zesty cup.

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2010/12/22/review-joy%E2%80%99s-teaspoon-izu-matcha/

I finally got to track down an Assam with gold tips. I happened to be in SE Portland and stopped into the main shop to test out a pot of this. Some Twitter friends mentioned that it might not taste different than other Assams and that “flecks” of gold tips were added to up the premium price. I think they were wrong. What I got was a black tea with a mildly astringent foretaste, followed by straight nectar; a comparison I usually reserve for Yunnan Golds. With the malty kick added, this was more in line with a Golden Monkey – another partially tipped tea that I enjoy. I can finally notch this off my list.

Tried this in the taster section at the Stash Tea Store. I was weary of anything with “Christmas” in the title – thinking I would be blasted with something pepperminty. I was surprised to find a floral black-ish blend that reminded me of a high-altitude Ceylon. It’s a weird mix, but a pretty good one.

I found out about this Washington outfit in ‘09, but didn’t look for the website until a year later. The white tea finally became available for online order this (or last?) month. I instantly picked up some. Finding good “A-MURR-ican” tea had become somewhat of a sub-hobby. I was a little turned off by the dry appearance. They looked like normal leaves with a wildernessy smell. Nothing special.

That all changed in taste, however. This is one hearty and buttery white tea. Best obscure comparison I can make is to an Oothu estate Indian white tea; same type of bold, fruity and creamy characteristics. It also had a bit in common with Milk Oolong by way of a Bai Mu Dan and lasted for nearly four infusions. Quite frankly, I’ve had nothing like it. But I DID like it. A lot.

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2011/01/29/review-sakuma-bros-sun-dried-loose-leaf-white-tea/

Second note on this one. It’s too bad this company went outta business. They had a quality product, especially this organic honeybush, which I finally found the perfect delivery mechanism for…as a latte. Yes, I latte’d the heck out of it and added some Greek honey for good measure. If there was some Dionysian nectar of the gods, this is it. I could go into taster notes on this, but you probably already know what they are now – just think honey-vanilla. It was awesome.

I had this tea at the end of a late lunch. I figured, if I was going to have a guilt free dessert, might as well make it a dessert-flavored tea. And this delivers. The green tea base – which I guessed was a Chinese sencha (with its natural berry notes) – worked well with the freeze-dried blueberries and natural flavoring.

I gave some to my brother and he said it was “pretty hot and tempting.”

Took the words right outta my cup.

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2011/01/10/review-the-necessiteas-blueberry-cheesecake-4/

Earl Greys are like…well…opinions. (And I’m not gonna say what opinions are like.) Point is, everyone has one, but not everyone has one that works. Some are too malty, some are too sour, and some just don’t work on either front. This is the most balanced Earl I have tried to date. It’s more citrus than sour, the black tea base never embitters and rarely feels dry, and the key word here is “balance”. On the tightrope of taste, this nails the bottle with a well-placed lightning bolt. I’ve had a LOT of Earl Greys, and I thought I was Earl Grey’d out ’til I had this. Glad to be proven palate-ly wrong.

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2011/01/14/review-joy%E2%80%99s-teaspoon-earl-grey/

I sampled this on a visit to their teashop and immediately picked up a bottle. That’s how much I loved it. I finally cracked it open while at work. I’ve had pear-flavored white teas before, but never paired with apples. The flavor lived up to my wildest imagination…and that’s pretty vivid. Pear dominated the foretaste, while apple and mildly-astringent Bai Mu Dan dominated the middle. The aftertaste was toasty, almost Riesling-like. This is an iced tea I’d pour into a wine glass to “fit in” at a party full of sommeliers. Looks the same and almost tastes the same. Simply awesome.

Full Review: http://www.teaviews.com/2011/01/22/review-smith-teamaker-no-71-white-petal-rtd/